The Uncommon Life of Mr. Adam Archer, Contralto

ABSTRACT We are in the second decade of the eighteenth century. Helena has always secretly dreamt of leaving Exeter to become a well known singer. So far, the events of her life have compelled her to live below her expectations. Circumstances suddenly change allowing her to take hold of her destiny and leave for London. The clever choice of a male disguise revolutionizes her life, forcing her to fully live the contradiction of acting and becoming famous en travesti while at the same time desperately needing to express her womanly emotions. Against the background of the most exciting and dazzling time in European musical history (though pitiless and ferocious on the social side), Helena is caught between the twinkling lights of the Rococò style and unexpected coups de théâtre. She meets some outstanding figures of the period as the Countess of Les Mias, who will support her chosen path, and the adventurer Giulio Buonamici, with whom she will share a great love story made difficult by her disguise. As a contralto, she will follow maestro Mountpellier’s orchestra and take part in a long tour starting in London and finishing in Rome, while she completes her apprenticeship as a singer and a woman.